William Buick celebrated his 100th winner of the season in dramatic fashion after Flame Of Freedom (9-4) got up almost on the line to secure victory in the Racegoers Club Handicap at Epsom Downs today (Monday 30th August).
The Derby-winning rider reached the milestone aboard the Dragon Pulse filly in the seven-furlong contest, which was delayed after dual champion jockey Oisin Murphy was unseated aboard Canagat, who bolted on his way down to the start.
Despite appearing to be outpaced at the top of the home straight Flame Of Freedom rallied in game fashion before getting the better of a photo finish with House Of Kings by a nose.
Buick said: “It is always nice to get to 100 winner in a season and we will keep on moving on.
“The big winners are obvious but the everyday stuff is important as well.
“The season is not finished so we don’t want to be doing too much looking back but both Hurricane Lane and Adayar are horses I’m looking forward to riding again.”
On the Eve Johnson Houghton-trained winner he added: “I did think we had done enough to hold on as they went very quick up front.
“I was very happy where I was. I had a very willing partner and she really stuck her head out.”
Classic-winning rider Murphy had earlier come in for plenty of praise from owner Julia Parkes after completing a double for the afternoon with a five length success aboard the Hughie Morrison-trained Curtiz in the Deborah Cooper 40th Handicap over an extended mile.
Parkes said following the 7-4 favourite’s victory: “Oisin said he was a pleasure to ride. He handled the track last time he came here but he got a bump coming out of the stalls.
“This time he got into the race and he always looked like he was going to win. Oisin is such a good jockey and a nice guy to go with it.”
